History of the Burdekin Library

You are here:

1983

April 23– Tenders are called for construction of the Burdekin LibraryJune 22– Tender from J. B. Malas accepted for construction, and tender from R. & K. Bonato Electrical accepted for the electrical workJune – Invitations for Chief Librarian and Children’s Librarian positions circulatedAugust 29 – Jeff McInerney’s first day as Chief LibrarianOctober 12 – Carol Stableford becomes the first Children’s LibrarianDecember 15 – First shipment of books is received (totalling 10% of the collection)December 21– Commonwealth Employment Program allows for the hiring of two library assistants

Library Construction Begins

1984

January – Mirka Mora completes a mural for the libraryJanuary 18 – Carol, the Children’s Librarian, says the Burdekin Library definitely won’t be a “Shh, shh” libraryJanuary 27 – The computer system is installed (a Vax 750 computer with ‘Book Software’)Early March – The Reading Toad library logo is released

SATURDAY MARCH 31 – OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE BURDEKIN LIBRARY!

Cr John Trace Cutting the Ribbon

The Burdekin Library was officially opened at 3.00pm by Shire Chairman John Trace. A week of festivities was organised with a Queensland Ballet performance, a market in the plaza, Queensland Theatre Orchestra performances, a Family Quiz Show, and the ‘Brigadoon’ musical performed by the Ayr Choral Society.

Exhibitions were displayed throughout the library and theatre, including an Exhibition of Pottery, The Stained Glass of Gary Burgess, Batik from Utopia, Women at Work ’84, A History of Kites, How to Spin, a Lapidiary (Gemstone) display, and a Puppet Theatre. Students from James Cook University and volunteers from the Burdekin Community Youth dressed up as clowns, performed street theatre, acted as guides and entertained.

SATURDAY APRIL 7 – OFFICIAL OPENING OF HOME HILL LIBRARY!The Home Hill Library was officially opened at 10.30am by Cr J. T. Hinkson.

April 10 – First Book issued (at that stage members were allowed to borrow two books for two weeks)June 21 – First school holiday program released, including clay modelling, creative games, fence painting and children’s craftsJune 21-27 – First Book Week celebrated (the theme was ‘Books Have It Covered’)

1985

February 15– First overdue notices sent out (for books months overdue)

Annual Book Week Celebrations

November – First issue of Blink! produced

1987

June 10 – First microfiche/microfilm reader installed at the Burdekin Library

1991

February 7 – Home Hill Library closed due to flooding

1994

April 6 – ‘Black Snow and Liquid Gold’ published by John Kerr, coinciding with the tenth anniversary library celebrations

2003

December 3– New Library Logo launched (Barramundi and Sugarcane)

2004

March 24 – Online Library Catalogue launched!June 18– The Library Train mural is painted outside the library by Aicey Zaro and six High School students